Graffiti has turned up in several areas of Joshua Tree National Park. This is in Rattlesnake Canyon/NPS, Ben Theisen
Graffiti clowns have been frequent visitors this year to Joshua Tree National Park, where they wielded cans of spray paint and other tools to vandalize areas of the park.
There have been a number of cases since January where graffiti has turned up in places such as Rattlesnake Canyon, the Skull Rock Nature Trail, and along Geo Tour Road.
"Joshua Tree National Park belongs to all of us. Using paint or chisels on rocks and trees destroys the beauty we are trying to protect in our parks," said Joshua Tree Superintendent David Smith in a release issued Tuesday. "It is our hope that anyone with knowledge of these incidents will come forward so that we can eliminate future problems. It is illegal to deface any of the resources in the park."
Anyone with information about these incidents, or the persons involved, should contact the park’s law enforcement staff by emailing the chief ranger at [email protected].
Joshua Tree officials are asking for help from visitors who spot graffiti or any other form of vandalism; they can call the park or email [email protected]. The park also relies heavily on the efforts of volunteers to patrol areas of the park. Park volunteers help with a variety of essential tasks, including staffing park visitor centers, managing campgrounds, and helping clean up graffiti. Opportunities are available on volunteer.gov. Most volunteer opportunities are best-suited for people who can provide long-term time commitment to the park.
Vandals also hit Joshua Tree, which straddles the geographic divide in California that splits the Mojave Desert from an element of the Sonoran Desert, in January 2019 during the partial government shutdown, when they cut down at least one Joshua tree and drove out of bounds into the desert.
If you know Dess or Kris, the rangers at Joshua Tree National Park would like to talk to you/NPS, Ben Theisen
Comments
I was just down the road from the park. It's beautiful there. Why do some people have to tear things up?
I think the border wall is outrageous, especially at a place like Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument where I once spent a wonderful long Washington's Birthday weekend about 30 years ago. I understand the area's become a bit more dangerous - too bad. I believe the laws of the USA ought to be followed and enforced. The folks responsible for the vandalism at Joshua Tree National Park must be found and punished as severely as the law mandates. They are human garbage and should be treated as such. And let their example serve as a deterrent.
The desecration in AZ is breaking my heart and all for a medieval idea of a wall.
Right! P O'd about grafitti but blazing hot about the Organ Cactus Sacred Grounds!
Facelift Joshua Tree 2020 Pick a weekend to clean the park.Just like they do in Yosemite.
Not sure where it says that in the Bible...
I have dealt with this situation. I have tried all different methods, what works is paint stripper .follow instructions on back of the can.It works
This criminal activity is no different than burning down a church. Laws must be strengthened so people like this are charged with heavier fines and longer jail time. If these people are found, they will surely get a light slap on the wrists. Our own government officials promote this activity in our cities calling it graffiti art! Meanwhile our National Parks and federal lands are being destroyed by the very government that runs them with road construction, logging, mining, oil drilling, wildlife hunting, etc. All just as shameful.